If you truly want to look into Buddhism then you shouldn't givvafuck what others think of it. Lesson 1 - know and be yourself. Why can't people make their own personal decisions these days without consulting a bunch of strangers that presumably couldn't give two shits about them?

I am thinking of taking a more serious interest in Buddhism. I would appreciate any thoughts - positive or negative.

Thanks!

im not sure this is the right approach to embrace a religion bro.
other than internet research you have to be comfortable with the basics. I personally am not comfortable talking to a statue, or worshiping a human figure even if his teachings were great.

I don't really think that Buddhism and Christianity are all that different. Christians can certainly follow the teachings of Buddha while still believing that Christ was mankinds savior. Buddhism isn't about worshiping any diety, but more of turning the focus inward and projecting that inner person outward and making the world a tiny bit better. It's about loving your fellow man and respecting all life on earth no matter how insignifigant you might view it. Buddhism can be viewed as a life philosophy which can help explain kharmic consequences of our actions -much like Christ taught of sin. Buddha also references Christ several times in his teachings.

You guys make interesting points. I specially like the ones that are 'kicking' me in the face. Thanks

I posted this because I was having a PM discussion with one member (a PM discussion started by the said member) who kept trying to defend a particular faith. I never tried defending Buddhism. I believe that the truth does not need a defense. I told this member that I would post this and see what people said.

So far I see 2 personal attacks against me and none against Buddhism. I see 2 'funny' posts.

My favourite thing : Nobody has ever been killed in the name of Buddhism.

It may be just semantics, but LOTS of Buddhists have been killed because of their choice to be Buddhist.

I've been a Catholic all my life, but have recently considerd myself a bohdisatva in that I care for the world, seek peace and harmony with all life around me, raise my chickens humanely as possible and thank both plants and animals for their sacrifice that provides me nourishment.

Let me clarify. No Buddhist has launched a Holy War in the name of Budda. The Muslims have their Jihads, the Christians have their Crusades, the Buddhists have their.... well - they do not launch wars.

I'm ordering a zen buddhist book today from Amazon called Hardcore Zen. I just finished a book by the same author (Brad Warner) called Sit Down and Shut Up, amusing read that brings a pop-culture bend to eastern zen philosophy, written by a former bass player for a punk band in the early '80s. An ordained zen priest, he ties teachings from the Shobogenzo (an ancient zen monk's life handbook) to modern, pop-culture life. He describes buddhism as the logical next step after his punk-rock upbringing, where punk rock falls short of a solution to his frustration with The Establishment.

For a good intro to 'Tibetan' buddhism, I suggest Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das. Written in the mid-90's, the author his since become somewhat of a new-age pop-guru. However, it is clearly an outstanding introduction to the subject, laying the framework for future reading. Read the Amazon.com reviews (95 of them!) to find out how this book has changed some peoples' lives.

im not sure this is the right approach to embrace a religion bro. Other than internet research you have to be comfortable with the basics. I personally am not comfortable talking to a statue, or worshiping a human figure even if his teachings were great.

Why worship a creature, when you can worship the creator?

Creature? Talking to a statue?

The practice of Buddhism is very much about becoming a better human being. To be a better human being means being able to help others as well as oneself, avoiding negative patterns of behavior and embracing positive ones.

What is Buddhism?
Buddhism is a path of practice and spiritual development leading to Insight into the true nature of life. Buddhist practices such as meditation are means of changing oneself in order to develop the qualities of awareness, kindness, and wisdom. The experience developed within the Buddhist tradition over thousands of years has created an incomparable resource for all those who wish to follow a path — a path which ultimately culminates in Enlightenment or Buddhahood.

Because Buddhism does not include the idea of worshipping a creator god, some people do not see it as a religion in the normal, Western sense. The basic tenets of Buddhist teaching are straightforward and practical: nothing is fixed or permanent; actions have consequences; change is possible. Thus Buddhism addresses itself to all people irrespective of race, nationality, or gender. It teaches practical methods (such as meditation) which enable people to realise and utilise its teachings in order to transform their experience, to be fully responsible for their lives and to develop the qualities of Wisdom and Compassion.

There are around 350 million Buddhists and a growing number of them are Westerners. They follow many different forms of Buddhism, but all traditions are characterised by non-violence, lack of dogma, tolerance of differences, and, usually, by the practice of meditation.

"I believe this is something all of us can do: Try to be happy within the context of the life we are actually living. Happiness is not a situation to be longed for or a convergence of lucky happenstance. Through the power of our own minds, we can help ourselves." - Wayne Coyne

I don't know much about Buddhism but it's quickly apparent, as pointed out here, that it doesn't involve worship of a creator (from what I can gather).

But I do have a naive question: what's up with the whole rub the Buddha's belly for good luck act? I would imagine this isn't a tenet or belief of the actual religion but something that came later where people made images of Buddha (statues) and started innovating this practice. Is that correct? In other religions that belief or practice is tantamount to associating partners with God and would be considered a major sin. Of course, if you're Buddhist, this doesn't matter to you, but I'm speaking from the perspective of the other major religions.

I don't know much about Buddhism but it's quickly apparent, as pointed out here, that it doesn't involve worship of a creator (from what I can gather).

But I do have a naive question: what's up with the whole rub the Buddha's belly for good luck act? I would imagine this isn't a tenet or belief of the actual religion but something that came later where people made images of Buddha (statues) and started innovating this practice. Is that correct? In other religions that belief or practice is tantamount to associating partners with God and would be considered a major sin. Of course, if you're Buddhist, this doesn't matter to you, but I'm speaking from the perspective of the other major religions.

Interesting, never thought of that. I've never seen it written anywhere. I'll try google...

Edit: Found it. The fat guy is Budai, a predicted 'successor' to Gautama Buddha. From Wiki entry on Budai:

Folklore
One belief surrounding the figure of Budai in popular folklore is that if a person is to rub his belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. This belief however does not form part of any Buddhist doctrine, but more of a pseudo-Chinese practice. He is often admired for his happiness, plenitude, and supposedly wisdom of contentment.

Some may.... Buddhism is about moderation. Richard Gere is Buddhist. Being Buddhist does not mean that you give everything away. Giving everything away would be an extreme act....

I am not Buddhist by the way - I just like the Buddhist philosophy. I believe in God. Do not believe in any Religion because they all claim to be the RIGHT religion and threaten eternal damnation if you belong to any other faith.

Buddhism is inclusive. It does not prevent one from believing in God. All other faiths are of exclusion as far as I know & I will be the first to admit that I am not always right and I am no expert.

Interesting, never thought of that. I've never seen it written anywhere. I'll try google...

Edit: Found it. The fat guy is Budai, a predicted 'successor' to Gautama Buddha. From Wiki entry on Budai:

Folklore
One belief surrounding the figure of Budai in popular folklore is that if a person is to rub his belly, it brings forth wealth, good luck, and prosperity. This belief however does not form part of any Buddhist doctrine, but more of a pseudo-Chinese practice. He is often admired for his happiness, plenitude, and supposedly wisdom of contentment.

Some good books on the subject:
. Diamond Sutra and Sutra of Hui-Neng - The Diamond Sutra is the oldest extant printed book in the world. Hui-Neng is regarded as the father of the Zen tradition.
. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones - 4 books in 1 covering Zen and pre-Zen thinking over 4000 years
. Siddhartha - A short novel by Hermann Hesse
. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Introduction to Zen practice by Shunryu Suzuki

It was recommended in another book, Hardcore Zen: Punk Rock, Monster Movies & the Truth about Reality, by Brad Warner. Decent read if you were ever into punk music and enjoy bashing pop culture. He has a 'sequel' that is aptly entitled Sit Down and Shut Up, his reflections on The Shobogenzo.